Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

When Dimple Met Rishi
by Sandhya Menon 
pub 5/30/17 by Simon Pulse
YA - Contemporary
Borrowed ARC from Alexa

When I think of When Dimple Met Rishi, the first words that come to mind are: laugh out loud funny, cute, and totally heartwarming. It was exactly what I needed at the time and I honestly can't think of a reading experience where I giggled more than I did here. But while I guarantee the story will keep a perpetual smile on your face, there's so much more to it than meets the eye.

We alternate between the point-of-views of Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel. Dimple is ready to make her mark as a web developer and can't wait for the summer program her parents surprisingly agreed to pay for. She needs a break from her mother's constant haggling about finding the "Ideal Indian husband" but also turning into the "Ideal Indian wife". Dimple has a got mind and a will of her own, which 100% endeared her to me. On the other hand, there's Rishi who strongly believes in following the traditions set by his parents as the oldest son. For him that means a future that includes an arranged marriage and getting to know his future wife. And of course said future wife happens to be Dimple, except she has no idea that their parents have already suggested how they would make a great match. Oh and he's going to show up at the same summer program she's so excited for. Needless to say their first encounter was more meet-funny / meet-horrifying than meet-cute. (But then it starts to get real cute.)

What starts off on the wrong foot slowly but surely rights itself. I loved learning about this side of Indian culture and seeing how two Indian-Americans chose to uphold certain values and ideals. As someone who is Filipino-American, I completely understood the balance and the perspectives both Dimple and Rishi presented to one another and to us the reader. And along the way, I just fell in love with their love story. It felt very real and yes a little fast (but things do get heightened so fast on a campus setting!).  I thought Sandhya Menon did a wonderful job of balancing family, culture, growing up, first love, friendship and having confidence in who you are while being open to change. She tackles a lot and it never once slowed the pace nor felt too heavy. Like everything else about this it, it was just right!

Do I recommend?

A resounding yes. I can't recommend it enough! Plus look at that cover! I love it.